The late afternoon sun spilled golden light through the wide glass windows of the café, painting soft highlights across Jungkook's hair as he sat surrounded by the warm buzz of conversation. The small group at his table laughed freely, the air between them relaxed and bright. Jungkook's voice was soft but confident as he explained a part of the presentation, his hands moving animatedly with every word. It was one of the rare moments when he felt truly seen—not as an omega, not as someone caught in a bond he didn't fully understand—but as himself.
Eunwoo, seated beside him, leaned closer each time Jungkook spoke, his attention unwavering. There was a fondness in the way he watched Jungkook, and anyone with half a heart could see it. Jungkook, blissfully unaware or perhaps pretending not to notice, continued talking, his eyes lighting up with passion for the project.
Outside, the sky deepened to hues of amber and rose. Jungkook didn't realize how long they had been there until his phone vibrated quietly in his pocket. He fished it out, glancing at the screen.
A text from Taehyung.
I'll pick you up since it's getting late. Let me know when you're done.
Jungkook blinked, then hesitated. He hadn't told Taehyung where he was—at least not directly. But then again, it wasn't surprising. Taehyung always knew where he was.
Setting the phone aside, Jungkook returned to the conversation, trying to push the thought from his mind. A few more minutes, he told himself. Just a little longer.
Not far from the café, Taehyung stood still, phone gripped loosely in his hand. He hadn't received a reply. His jaw was tight, the collar of his black tee fluttering gently with the wind.
He hated this feeling—this restless, unsteady gnaw in his chest. It was unfamiliar. Dangerous.
Shoving his phone into his pocket, he made his way toward the café.
Taehyung spotted him through the glass the moment he arrived. Jungkook, laughing at something Minji had said, looking so free, so open. His lips curved with genuine warmth, his voice soft and melodic. Taehyung had never seen him like this.
But it wasn't the laughter that held his attention. It was Eunwoo.
The Alpha was watching Jungkook far too closely, a flicker of something possessive in his eyes. His hand lingered near Jungkook's elbow, just barely brushing it as he passed him a handout. It was nothing overt—but it was enough.
Taehyung's hand curled into a fist inside his coat pocket.
He pulled out his phone and dialed.
The phone rang once before Jungkook picked up, stepping away from the table toward the back of the café.
"Hello?" he asked breathlessly.
"I'm near the café," Taehyung said evenly. "I came to pick you up. Are you done?"
"Almost," Jungkook replied, glancing back toward the group. "Just a few more minutes."
"Make it quick," Taehyung said, and the line went dead.
Jungkook lowered the phone slowly, staring at the screen. There had been something off in Taehyung's voice—controlled, but tight. He could feel it.
A few minutes later, Jungkook stood from the table, offering an apologetic smile to his group. "I have to go. Sorry for leaving in a hurry."
"No worries," Seok replied, giving him a casual wave. "We'll handle the rest."
"I can walk you out," Eunwoo offered, rising as well.
Jungkook hesitated. "It's alright. Someone's already waiting for me."
Eunwoo's smile faltered briefly. "You forgot this," he said, holding out the pale handkerchief Jungkook had used earlier to clean a coffee spill.
"Ah—thank you." Jungkook reached for it, and their fingers brushed.
Taehyung's eyes darkened as he watched the exchange from outside the glass, the brief contact flaring like a warning in his chest.
Jungkook stepped out into the fading light, the soft chime of the café door closing behind him. Taehyung was waiting by a nearby lamppost, arms crossed, the golden dusk outlining his tall frame.
"Hey," Jungkook said carefully. "Sorry for making you wait."
Taehyung didn't reply immediately. His eyes flicked toward the café window, where Eunwoo still stood, watching them.
"Let's go," he said curtly, turning on his heel.
Jungkook followed, confused by the sudden shift in his tone. There was no usual teasing, no dry remark. Just silence.
They walked down the quiet sidewalk, the distance between them too wide, the silence too heavy.
"Did something happen?" Jungkook asked softly.
"Not really."
It was a lie. Jungkook could tell.
"If it's about the project group—Eunwoo's just a teammate," he said gently. "Nothing more."
Taehyung halted mid-step. He turned slowly, his eyes unreadable.
"I never said his name."
Jungkook's breath caught.
"Why did you assume I was talking about him?"
There was no malice in his tone. No jealousy. Just something quieter. Deeper. Like a question he wasn't sure he wanted answered.
"I…" Jungkook lowered his gaze. "I don't know. It just felt like you were."
Taehyung didn't move, his jaw tightening.
"Do you enjoy being with him?" he asked, voice barely above a whisper.
Jungkook lifted his eyes. "I enjoy being seen."
That stopped Taehyung cold.
For a moment, he said nothing. Then, in a low, almost broken voice, he murmured, "You're mine, Jungkook. Whether you like it or not."
He turned away before Jungkook could respond, continuing down the path.
Jungkook remained frozen in place, heart hammering in his chest as those words echoed around him—You're mine.
He didn't know if it was instinct.
Or something far more dangerous.